Two and a half weeks into the 2015 MLS regular season, supporters of Real Salt Lake are still trying to determine what the identity of their club is.
Granted, a lot of people knew that it would take some time to figure out RSL’s new squad. Several personnel departures and a formation change are bound to cause some inconsistency early in the season, but the polarizing differences from game one to game two this season have caused many who follow RSL to question exactly how this team might play in the coming weeks.
RSL was applauded by several MLS insiders for escaping the intimidating confines of Portland’s Providence Park with a point in hand as RSL held the Timbers to a 0-0 draw in the season opener. The offense was lacking, but RSL faithful were proud of the effort produced by the backline and goalkeeper Nick Rimando in preventing a dangerous Portland squad from scoring on their home turf.
Seven days later, all eyes at a sold out Rio Tinto Stadium saw a completely different performance from the claret and cobalt.
The offense shined bright as RSL was able to post three goals on the score sheet against the Philadelphia Union, but the backline looked uncharacteristically shaky and unorganized as they allowed the Union to score two goals of their own. An RSL own goal off of the foot of Jamison Olave capped off the unfortunate night for the RSL backline as they were only able to muster a 3-3 draw against the Union in their 2015 home opener.
First, let’s look at the bad for RSL.
One could argue that RSL was their own worst enemy Saturday night, more so than the visiting Union. After all, one goal came off of one of RSL’s own as Olave tried to clear a shot but instead booted the ball into his own net. The other two goals (both scored by Philadelphia forward Fernando Aristeguieta) were scored thanks in large part to unfortunate and fluky deflections off of RSL players.
The Union’s first goal happened after a cross had taken a strange deflection off of midfielder Kyle Beckerman and goalkeeper Nick Rimando had to spring into action to keep the ball from lazily falling into his own net, Aristeguieta followed the play and headed the ball past a grounded Rimando to level the score at 1-1.
Philadelphia’s second goal came after a quick throw in by Union in the RSL third of the field. Salt Lake defender Chris Schuler tried to clear the bouncing throw in behind him but he miss-timed his kick and instead gave the oncoming Ariseguieta a perfectly weighted ball that he side volleyed past the outstretched arm of Rimando to take the 2-1 lead on the road.
Although these goals were scored in part because of unlucky bounces and uncharacteristic mistakes, they ultimately happened because Philadelphia was able to put pressure on the RSL defense and take advantage of the mistakes that occurred.
RSL had a new starter at the left wing in Demar Phillips who was making his first start in place of veteran Abdoulie Mansally. It could have been the injury he sustained in the preseason, it could have been because it was his first MLS match, or it could have been that he wasn’t ready to take on a starting role but whatever the reason, Phillips did not make a good first impression in his RSL debut.
The young Jamaican showed flashes of brilliance defensively and looked dangerous when getting up the field into the attack, but some unforced errors near the touchline and occasional lapses in defensive positioning gave Philadelphia room to work with.
RSL head coach Jeff Cassar said postgame that he didn’t think that Phillips had his best night on the ball but that “He is usually very good on the ball and makes good decisions.” He also said that Phillips debut was “an overall good night, not a great night, but positive.”
Phillips was subbed out in the 82nd in favor of Mansally. That could have been a tactical move from Cassar in order to keep his new defender from re-aggravating his hamstring strain sustained in the preseason, but part of me also believes that he did it to make sure that no more mistakes from the backline would hinder his team’s chances at getting back in the game.
Now, we will look at the positives.
RSL’s offensive performance in Portland was disappointing, but not surprising. In their first league game starting in a 4-3-3 formation Salt Lake was only able to manage two shots on goal and couldn’t record a single corner kick despite controlling the majority of possession. The home game against the Union was a totally different story as RSL put seven shots on goal, controlled just over 60 percent of possession and completed 73 percent of their passes in the attacking third. While RSL did look a lot more dangerous on offense in game two as opposed to game one, the only glaring negative was the fact that not a single one of RSL’s three goals on the evening were scored during the run of play. The first goal came from a Javier Morales free kick from just outside the box, the second off of a Morales corner kick which found the head of Olave and then the foot of Olmes Garcia and finally a penalty kick awarded to Luke Mulholland which was converted by Alvaro Saborio.
RSL now has until March 29th, a home game against Toronto FC to try to tighten up the back line and gain even more momentum on the offensive side of the ball. Midfielder Javier Morales, one of the club’s most veteran players, said that the bye week comes at a good time for the team.
“It’s going to be good for us to keep working and get everyone onto the same page,” Morales said. “I’m looking forward to it.”
